No Shave helps Season of Hope

Law & Order. Newton Police Department doubles down to donate no-shave funds to Season of Hope.

Bearded Newton Police Officers present Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon (R) with a check to be put toward the agency's Season of Hope Toy Drive on Saturday, Nov 30, 2019. The department contributed extra money during No-Shave November to be able to have "Double Down" December. The policemen earned the privilege of keeping their facial hair for another month while raising $450 for PSS. (
Provided)

The Newton Police Department added a new twist on their No-Shave November fundraising by donating to the Project Self-Sufficiency Season of Hope toy drive. Calling it Double Down December, every officer who contributed an extra dollar a day throughout November will be able to keep his facial fluff until the new year. The result was a $450 check, presented by the department to Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon on Saturday, Nov 30.

“We appreciate the support of the police department year-round, but this will really help right now," Berry-Toon said.

Berry-Toon said that donations of cash are especially helpful as the agency gears up for its annual ‘toy shop’ for families in need.

“Once we have everyone registered, we can use cash donations to fill in the gaps with certain age groups,” she said. “And every little bit helps this year.”

According to Berry-Toon, the non-profit is in a 15,000 toy deficit this year, due to the cutoff of a previous supplier.

“We are collecting toys and monetary donations through the 18th," she said.

Newton Chief Mike Richards said his force answered the call for no-shave, which in addition to the donation to PSS also raised money for cancer research.